Rich Pickings (14 page)

Nick leaves the matter of the racehorse and moves on to the six-million-dollar question. Or should that be forty-six million? He wants to know why Freya seemed to feel there was a need for all the secrecy, and I have to admit I wouldn’t mind getting my head around that too. I turn to watch Freya’s signing, but don’t find her explanation especially enlightening. It all seems to hinge around her having become so embroiled in her deception, that she lost sight of how she might ever end it. It became just too difficult. She ends up simply pleading with Nick to forgive her.

Neither Nick nor Dan can conceal their surprise when, in response to Nick’s additional probing, Freya reveals the exact amount of money she won. Forty four million, seven hundred and thirty seven thousand, two hundred and ninety pounds. The car lurches as Freya signs it and Nick repeats the number, but Dan quickly recovers.

When we reach the equine veterinary center events move quickly. The X-rays show a compound fracture, serious but potentially repairable. The horse will never race again, but could live out a decent retirement. I suspect she’ll be pampered something shocking if she comes through this.

Eventually, having done as much as we can at the center and leaving the horse in safe hands, Dan and I drop Nick and Freya at the entrance to Nathan’s apartment in Leeds city center, the place we left only hours earlier. It will be more convenient for Freya to visit the equine center from here. I promise to bring her clothes over from Black Combe, and her car, as soon as I can manage it, tomorrow probably. I give her a quick hug, tell her not to worry too much about Queenie, not that she’ll take any notice, then I hop back into the passenger seat next to Dan.

Dan smiles wryly at me as he maneuvers the Audi onto the M621, the urban motorway heading out of Leeds. “She’s full of surprises, your friend. Got to hand it to her, I never would have guessed she was a multi-millionaire. And it’s clear Nick didn’t have a clue either.” He shakes his head, and I’m sure he’s as caught up as I am in trying to imagine the conversation probably going on between Nick and Freya at this moment. He looks across at me as he slows for some lights. “You knew the whole time?”

I nod, miserable at my part in today’s events and painfully aware that I’ve been drawn into the deception too, though I have no idea what I could have done to avert any of this. Apart from keeping my mouth shut in the board meeting, of course. Dan doesn’t seem aggrieved though, just surprised. And increasingly he seems to find the whole thing amusing.

Maybe I will too, in years to come. Perhaps Nick could, eventually. Freya even? But first, they have to settle their differences, and that prospect just scares me, particularly as I now have a pretty good idea what’s likely to be involved. This is serious, much more serious than the punishment spanking Nick administered the night he and Freya met. I know she managed to come though that fine, and surely she and Nick are much closer now than they were then. He loves her, or seems to. He won’t harm her. Will he?

“What’ll happen now? Between Nick and Freya I mean.” I shoot a glance at Dan, seeking reassurance.

He makes no pretense of not getting my drift. “He’ll punish her. It
will
be physical. And severe, I should think.”

“Will he hit her?”

“As in?”

“Will he beat her up?”

“No. Definitely not.” Some comfort there, then.

Dan signals to pull out into the middle lane. He pauses for a moment to devote his attention to cruising past an HGV, then returns to his theme. “I don’t know what Nick’ll decide on, but it will be painful. Freya will learn a hard lesson, have no doubt about that. But he’ll do her no lasting harm. And he won’t do anything at all without her agreement.”

Not that much comfort after all. And there’s an aspect of all this so-called consent that bothers me.

“But she’ll have no choice. Not if she wants to keep him.”

Dan looks puzzled. “Why would you say that? Of course she’ll have a choice.”

“If she doesn’t accept whatever punishment he decides on, he’ll leave her. Won’t he? Obedience is a condition of the deal, isn’t it? She loves him. She’ll do anything to keep him.”

Dan slants another quick look my way. “I’m reasonably certain the feeling’s mutual. I doubt Nick will be into ultimatums like that. But if she doesn’t, or can’t accept her punishment, it
will
cause a major shift in their relationship and I don’t know how they’ll resolve it. I really don’t think it’s going to come to that, though. They’ll get past this. In time.”

I fall silent to contemplate what he’s said. He’s right, I recognize that. Although I got off to a shaky start with Nick he does seem to adore Freya and without doubt came through for her when she had the awful news about her horse. In the circumstances that was impressive. Maybe this whole train wreck will turn out okay after all.

I’m reflecting on that optimistic thought when Dan breaks into my reverie once more.

“Do you want to talk to Ashley about that job? Or are you leaving it till later? I ask because I know she and Tom are intending to go off on their cruise soon. They delayed their honeymoon for a few days because Tom wanted to be at the meeting today, but they’ll be gone by tomorrow. And they won’t be back for at least a month.”

“Oh Christ. I forgot all about that. Yes, yes definitely. Will they still be at Nathan’s?” I want this settled, and ideally I’d like to start work immediately though I’m beginning to wonder if I might have to delay until they return. The prospect of rattling around on my own in Freya’s apartment for the next few weeks is not appealing in the least, far better to be busy finding my feet with Darke Associates.

“Phone her and check. If not we can call at the farm. Unless you want to discuss it privately of course? I could just drop you off and pick you up later.”

“No, I mean… Well, it’s not really a job interview is it? She offered me the job, right? We’re just sorting out the details now so I should think it’ll be alright. I’d like you to be there, as long as Ashley and Tom don’t mind.”

Dan just shrugs and cocks an eyebrow in the direction of my bag. “Phone then.”

A couple of minutes later I’ve established that Ashley and Tom are at the farm, that they are happy for me to go round to discuss the terms of my new employment, and that Dan is welcome too. And the kettle will be on.

* * * *

“We haven’t really settled on a job title, but I was wondering about something along the lines of Projects Manager?” Ashley stirs her tea as she regards me across the table.

Tom is due to join us shortly. He and Dan are checking on one of his rare breed pigs that’s gone down with swine flu or something.

I return her steady gaze, feeling slightly daunted. “That sounds grand. I thought you wanted me to just do the paperwork, admin, that sort of thing.”

“We do, but most of the time there won’t be someone around telling you what to do. You’ll be running a lot of things yourself and just keeping us in the loop as needed. You’ll be a manager, not a clerk. Generally speaking you’ll report to me on stuff to do with the wedding venues project, and to Tom on the wind farm. Both Tom and Nathan are involved in the music festival, but that’s mainly sorted now. Just need to actually run the event so it’ll be manic while that’s going on. We’ll be back by then, but Nathan will want you to field the last minute stuff I expect.”

I gulp nervously. It’s not that I don’t think I’m up to the job—details and organizing come naturally to me. I’ll enjoy this and the more challenging the better really. It’s bigger than I imagined though so I’m having to adjust my thinking, and clearly this is not a desk-based job.

“I’ll need to buy a car.” I’d been planning to, at some stage, but obviously it’s a priority now. I intend to take Freya’s Vanquish over to Leeds tomorrow because she’ll be needing it to get to and from the veterinary hospital so I won’t be able to borrow that. Not that I feel comfortable using that huge, expensive beast. I’m too worried about bending all that shiny maroon metal. No, a sedate little hatchback is more suited to me.

“Transport comes with the job. So does accommodation. You’ll need a four-wheel drive for out here. Especially in the winter.” Ashley smiles at Tom, returning from his mission of mercy with the poorly pig, her expression one of quiet adoration.

Her look is returned as he drops a kiss on her hair on his way to the sink to wash his hands. Dan follows him into the kitchen. He nods at me, his smile warm.

“Nathan’s Discovery does nothing most of the time. We’ll see about borrowing that until we get something else for you,” Tom tosses the words over his shoulder, commandeering Nathan Darke’s expensive vehicle as casually as he might ask to borrow a pen.

“Right. Good thinking. I’ll text him now.” Dan drags his phone from his jeans pocket and starts typing the message.

Shit. Nathan Darke’s shiny Land Rover Discovery. Now that I really mustn’t bend.

“Did you sort out salary yet? And where Summer’s going to live?” Hands duly sanitized Tom pulls out a chair and joins us at the table.

“No. But I was thinking we could start on twenty-five grand a year, maybe review after six months. How does that sound?”

I gape at her. Twenty-five thousand pounds a year! That’s way more than I was earning as a librarian. Even with the rent for a cottage deducted, I’ll still be quids in.

Tom gives a brief nod. “Sounds good to me. Is that okay with you, Summer? Plus accommodation and the car, obviously. Is your old place empty yet?” Tom directs his last question at Ashley.

I’m reeling again. Twenty-five grand
plus
a cottage, and the four-wheel drive too. This is too good to be true. Ashley smiles, probably amused by my expression of dumb amazement.

“Yes. Since all the wedding guests left we’ve got plenty of space. Smithy’s Forge is lovely. I lived there when I first came here. Just one bedroom though? Will that be big enough?”

I’m on the point of saying yes, of course. It’s just me, I’ll be living alone so one bedroom is fine.

“Er, no. Actually, I’ll need space for my sisters too.” I intended to give the expected response but that’s not what my mouth came up with when I got my words out.

Three pairs of eyes are fixed on me. I can’t say I blame them. I’m probably more surprised than anyone. I’ve no idea where that came from. I’ve never planned to provide a home for my sisters. Not consciously in any case. And up until now I’ve not been in a position to. But now, I can. Just possibly. So I will. I’m ready to negotiate, to try to provide for them the security that Margaret gave me. The bolthole. The safe place to hide. Yorkshire’s not as handy as Ulverston was, but it’s do-able.

“How many sisters?” This from Ashley.

“Two. Lucy’s fourteen and Maisie’s eleven.” I hold her gaze, willing her to understand.

“Where do they live now?” Dan’s question is delivered in his normal low tone.

I only have to glance at him though to see his expression is intent. He can pick up on my nervous signals even if Ashley doesn’t. I can almost see his antennae waggling

“In Barrow. With my mother. I’d like them to be able to come and stay with me sometimes. For holidays. Visits. I don’t mind paying rent for a bigger place, I realize you can’t be expected to…”

Tom interrupts me, his smile warm and reassuring, “Oh, I think we can manage something. In fact, the loft above Nathan’s garage might suit you. Three bedrooms there. And he’d probably be happier with you living in it than renting to different strangers every week. Rosie’ll like having other children around as well, even though your sisters are a bit older than her.”

“You’ve not mentioned your sisters before. Are you close?” Dan’s gaze is penetrating, his dark brown eyes fixed on my face.

Tom and Ashley are silent as all three wait for me to explain this sudden and unexpected shift in the arrangements.

“Yes. Fairly close. I don’t see as much of them as I’d like so it would be nice if they could visit me here. Will that be alright?” I’m looking from Ashley to Tom now, almost pleading. “I’ll keep them out of everyone’s way.” I have a suspicion that won’t be easy, especially with exuberant, cheerful Lucy. But right now I’ll promise anything.

“Don’t be daft. They’ll be welcome.” Ashley is emphatic, looking to Tom for confirmation. It seems I have at least one ally.

“Aye, as long as they don’t leave my gates open or dump crisp packets everywhere.” Tom too seems ready to be tolerant.

There’s one more, thing though, one thing I do need to say. “Lucy, the older one, well, she has Down’s syndrome.” I hesitate, not sure what to say next. I long ago gave up apologizing or making excuses for my gorgeous, bubbly, delightful sister. People need to accept her for the lovely soul she is.

Dan raises one eyebrow, I suspect my defiant tone is not lost on him. “So, you come as a package deal. Let me know when you want them to come down and I’ll drive them. If that’s alright with your mother, obviously.”

I could hug him. I’m almost giddy with relief. Not that my mother will have anything to say about it. She’ll probably not even notice they’ve gone, let alone who picked them up. “That’ll be lovely. Thank you.”

“Right.” Dan returns to practicalities. “About this flat of yours. Nathan won’t mind the flat being used for staff accommodation. I suspect that place would stay empty if you don’t take it. How often do you think Lucy and Maisie will be here?”

I smile at him gratefully. “Not very often. School holidays mainly, perhaps odd weekends.” Perhaps anytime my mother decides to expand her business again by bringing another one of her daughters into it. They’re both too young still, much too young. She waited until I was sixteen, surely she would again. But I want to be ready. And Lucy’s so vulnerable.

I don’t say any of this, I’ll never share the real reasons I’m so reluctant to ever return to Barrow, and so keen to help my sisters escape from there.

Dan’s phone pings, signaling the arrival of a text. He picks it up, glances at the screen. “It’s from Nathan. He says you can take the Discovery whenever you want. Grace has the keys. I’ll just tell him we have an occupier for the garage flat…” He types in a reply then places the phone back on the table in front of him.